Springfield – Illinois State Police (ISP) statewide are reminding motorists to make safety their number priority while driving during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The Labor Day weekend is one the busiest driving periods for motorists and thousands of drivers are expected to hit the roadways and interstates nationwide.

Law Enforcement officials will push for ZERO fatalities by enforcing the four most common causes of fatal traffic crashes: Speeding; DUI; seat belts; and distracted driving. “Troopers will saturate the expressways and roadways looking for speeders, impaired drivers, seat belt violators and distracted drivers,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau. “Drivers have the choice of spending the holiday weekend safely, or in jail. Anyone getting behind the wheel should think twice and drive responsibly because ISP troopers will be waiting and watching for Fatal 4 violators,” he warned.

This week, ISP officials have been partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in its push against driving under the influence.

ISP officials will also be working closely with the Statewide Terrorism Intelligence Center (STIC) monitoring intelligence and special alerts looking for suspicious vehicles and criminal activity crossing state lines.

“Traffic enforcement goes hand in hand with preventing violence and troopers will be enforcing both to ensure Illinois roadways and citizens are safe,” Grau said.

In addition to enforcement messages and public awareness safety campaigns, districts statewide are also working with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to ensure that highways are safe and clear of road distractions that can impede or impact safe driving and roadway safety.

Officials added that Alcohol Counter-Measure Enforcement patrols and Roadside Safety Checks have already been deployed leading up to the holiday weekend. These patrols will continue throughout the holiday weekend and will be supported by air speed details. Troopers will also be equipped with radar and lidar devices to monitor motorists exceeding the legal speed limits.

The most common offenses include speeding, DUI, and seat belt violations. Last year, Illinois State Police issued 4,707 tickets for speeding violations during the 4-day holiday period from Friday to Monday. During that same time period, there were 67 DUI arrests; 1,699 seatbelt violations; and 27 distracted driver violations.

“Drivers have a simple choice in the matter – violate the law and face hefty fines and jail time, or abide by the law and arrive safely,” said ISP Operations Col, Robert Haley. “Our top priority is for motorists to get to their final destination safely, and by enforcing the Fatal 4, we save lives and prevent driving fatalities,” he said.

Illinois State Police will also focus on illegal narcotics crossing state lines. Canine units will also be deployed to assist troopers with narcotics investigations on the expressways. “We know that the Labor Day holiday weekend is traditionally a time for family travel, but criminals are also traveling on Illinois roadways and expressways trafficking drugs, US currency and illegal firearms,” said Director Grau.

“Whether a motorist is driving under the influence, or influencing criminal activity, our troopers will maintain zero tolerance for breaking the law,” he stressed.

Illinois State Police are responsible for the public safety of the citizens of Illinois and patrol more than 20,000 miles of the state’s highways.